Google CEO: AI could become 'more profound than electricity or fire'

Alyssa Rege -

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said artificial intelligence will have a significant impact on how the world operates — an effect "more profound than … electricity or fire," Newsweek reports.

Mr. Pichai spoke to MSNBC's Ari Melber and Recode's Kara Swisher for an upcoming program entitled "Revolution: Google and YouTube Changing the World," which is scheduled to air "soon" on MSNBC. Mr. Pichai was interviewed alongside YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki.

While noting the benefits of AI technology, Mr. Pichai also acknowledged the potential hazards it could create if the technology is not harnessed correctly.

"AI is one of the most important things humanity is working on. It's more profound than, I don't know, electricity or fire," he said. "But we have to be concerned about it. … We want to be thoughtful about it. AI holds the potential for some of the biggest advances we're going to see."

Google has been at the forefront and invested heavily in AI. In 2014, the company acquired the London-based startup DeepMind for £300 million, or roughly $419 million, Newsweek reports.

To read the full Newsweek report, click here.

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